Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 7, 2026

Sam Firstenberg

Sam Firstenberg is an Israeli-American film director, screenwriter and film producer.

Last revised
Jun 7, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
407 w
Citations
7
Source
Sam Firstenberg
Born
Shmulik Firstenberg

(1950-03-13) March 13, 1950
OccupationsFilm director, screenwriter, film producer
Known forAmerican Ninja
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Websiteamfirstenberg.com

Sam Firstenberg (born Shmulik Firstenberg on March 13, 1950) is an Israeli-American film director, screenwriter and film producer.

He is best known for having made low-budget B movies most of his career, among them the first two films in the American Ninja series, American Ninja and American Ninja 2: The Confrontation1 as well as Riverbend2 and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.3456

Firstenberg's filmography includes genres such as comedy, action, drama, science fiction, thrillers, horror and musicals.4

Personal life

Born in Poland to a Jewish family, Sam Firstenberg grew up in Jerusalem. He has directed 22 theatrical feature films since completing his graduate studies in film at Loyola Marymount University.

Filmography

Director

Writer

  • For the Sake of the Dog (1979)
  • One More Chance (1983)
  • Cyborg Cop II (1994)

Producer

  • The Interplanetary Surplus Male and Amazon Women of Outer Space (2003)
  • Groove Street (2018)
References

References

  1. Jerva, John M (11 April 2020). "Iconic Director Sam Firstenberg Returns and Talks STORIES FROM THE TRENCHES, 90's Action and More!". Action Flix.
  2. "RETRO FLASHBACK: Riverbend Restored preceded by The War Torn Drum". Boston, Massachusetts: Roxbury Film Festival. June 22, 2024.
  3. Variety Staff (December 31, 1983). "Review: Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". Variety. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  4. Maslin, Janet (December 19, 1984). "Breakin 2 Electric Boogaloo (1984) Screen: 'Breakin' 2'". The New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
  5. White, Armond (August 4, 2010). "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". New York Press. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  6. Ebert, Roger (January 1, 1984). "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
External links